Mali has descended further into chaos. Sources on the ground confirm that jihadist forces have torched dozens of civilian and military vehicles in a coordinated blockade ahead of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The attacks, concentrated along key supply routes near the Niger border, have left at least 20 dead and scores trapped without food or water.
Government officials in Bamako are scrambling, but the truth is they have lost control of vast swathes of the north and east. The UK Foreign Office has now issued an urgent warning to British nationals: leave immediately if possible. Do not rely on local authorities.
This is a premeditated strike designed to humiliate the state before a religious holiday. The jihadists want to show they own the roads. And they do.
Uncovered documents from regional security forces reveal that intelligence had flagged this exact threat two weeks ago. The response? Inadequate.
The blockade has cut off entire communities. Hospitals are running low on supplies. This is not a random act of violence.
It is a statement. And the message is clear: no one is safe. The UK government is advising citizens to register their presence with the embassy, but for many that is a luxury.
The roads are burning. The jihadists are emboldened. And the international community is watching from a distance.
This is a story that will not end well.
